Topic: UN's Role of Addressing Sectarian and Ethnic Conflict within a Nation
Country: Congo
Delegate Name: Kira Herman
School: Flint Central Academy
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Congo position papers GLIMUN 2008 committees
The Democratic Republic of the Congo recognizes that Ethnic and Sectarian violence and discrimination is a common problem in today’s world that repeatedly occurs. The recent war in Rwanda, between the Tutsi and the Hutus is an example of how much destruction, hatred and deaths come from violence towards a different ethnic group. This specific conflict has spilled over into many neighboring countries including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and is known as the widest interstate war in modern African History. Reasons for such conflicts usually include extreme poverty, lack of nutrition, and a stratification system based on ascribed status of ethnicity.
Our nation, of The Democratic Republic of the Congo has suffered many deaths due to this conflict, many of which are a side effect of the war such as starvation and disease. Since the Democratic Republic of the Congo has around 200 different ethnic groups, societal discrimination on the basis of ethnicity is widely practiced. On account of so many different foreign armies and rebel groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo this conflict has been a difficult one to solve. With our recent approval of a constitution and office elections The Democratic Republic of the Congo hopes to move towards peace between all the rebel and foreign factions in our country.
In conclusion, The Democratic Republic of the Congo believes that this body should act to prevent this conflict or similar conflicts from spreading to other countries.
